Bah... who should be surpsied at this study?

Flu is spread two ways: droplet and contact. Wear a mask, you stop droplet. And, since the flu virus is in the fluid that people hack up, I'd think even the ole "Cowboy" mask would help a bit.

Second, flu virus lives on inanimate objects (fomites) or on skin. You pick it up, get it in your system, and you catch it. Wash your hands, and you pretty much don't get it.

You don't see hospitals and EMS systems falling apary annually. Basic precautions work. N95 for flu is overkill.

As for alcohol drying the skin, sounds like your hospital needs to get the sanitizer that has emolients in it. Straight alcohol would dry your skin out. My hospital uses some brand, and it hasn't cracked my hands in over a year be being here. But, yes, hand washing is what I do if it's more than just touching a patient during a physical - wound care, procedures, etc.